This is such a person to person thing.. I have asthma, as well as allergies and I can not stand not stand anything tight against my face...
We have a bunch of different kinds of mask to choose from...
We are locals, and finding something that will work with the heat, and humidity is very challenging...
We used the blue paper ones during the summer, due to they are the lightest ones we could find, as well they are throw away, so if you get hot and sweaty, you can throw them a way easily enough and grab a new fresh one...
We also have fabric ones, I like the ones that are kinda cupped so that they don't touch your lips and block being able to breathe through your nose.. They are a bit thicker, but for me because they do not touch my lips and under my nose, I feel that I breathe in much more relaxed way.
Plan on having a couple with you, in case a strap breaks, one disappears while your eating, or whatever else can happen...
Some other things that we have found that helps...
1) Adding in breaks and rest periods, much more often and using comfort or relaxation stations to sit down. We found are a must, to be able to give your body a break from the mask and breathe naturally. Lots of mickey bars, bottled water, sports drinks,
2) Plan on drinking alot more than you would normally - I find that I mouth breathe constantly when wearing the mask, so dry mouth constantly..
3) Mask mouth - We found that liquid filled center cough drops work really well to open everything up making breathing easier, Old school life savers, peppermint and spearmint really help with mask mouth. For us chewing gum make the straps rub so not for us...
4) Chapstick, Burt's bees to help keep your lips from drying out so rapidly.. another tip we found work for the straps, is just a tiny tiny spec of chapstick on the straps, really helps behind the ear, in that little groove, work great for the kids as their mask don't always fit just right, and doesn't run a raw mark behind the ears.
5) Face wipes, and face lotion to help your face, not get rub marks... I love my neutrogena face wipes, and I have a tiny travel pot with a screw on lid that I put my normal face lotion in. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen and give it time to dry, before putting the mask back on.
6) Sunscreen, I am a big believer in good face sunscreen, this is something you might want to try at home - is the fragrance going to bother you, or become irritated where the mask rubs on your face.. find something that works ahead of time.. Plan on putting your sunscreen on before you get into the park, so that it has time to dry 100% before you head to the bus stop and have to wear the mask...
7) We have a bunch of chilly towels, we find that they are easier to deal with. We have the little fans that you wear around your neck, and before we really liked them, yet for us with the masks on the fan kinda blows the mask against your face, So when we went during the summer, we used both, and I did notice both of us seem more comfortable with chilly towels...
